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Call for proposed forest projects goes out

For the Headlight

Posted:
04/06/2014 07:50:19 PM MDT

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. >> The Southern New Mexico Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is issuing a call for proposals for special projects on Federal lands (http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/pts/specialprojects) under the 2013 Reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (Secure Rural Schools or Act). Deadline for proposals is close of business April 25, 2014. The RAC will begin reviewing projects for possible funding recommendation during their meeting on May 29th or 30th, 2014 in the Socorro County Annex Building at 198 Neel Avenue, Socorro, NM 87801.

The estimated fiscal year 2013 Title II payment for the RAC is $454,000 with approximately $207,735 automatically being allocated to previously reviewed, recommended, and approved projects presented at the September 2012 RAC meeting and $17,500 for administrative support. Estimated funds for new projects (approximately $228,000) are limited to Catron ($107,000), Grant ($63,000), Lincoln ($29,000), Otero ($19,000), and Socorro ($10,000) Counties. Projects must be located on, or benefit, the Cibola (Magdalena Ranger District; Socorro County), Gila, or Lincoln National Forests. Funding would be available no earlier than the June 2014. Projects and Title II monies will be recommended by the RAC to the affected Forest Supervisor based on each affected county's available Title II monies.

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All applicants must contact the affected National Forest District Ranger () prior to submitting a proposal(s) for their input and to obtain the list of required elements for a complete proposal package. You can find the required items document at the Southern New Mexico RAC website .

The Secure Rural Schools legislation encourages cooperative agreements with willing federal agencies, state and local governments, private and nonprofit entities, and landowners for protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, and other resource objectives consistent with the purposes of the Act that benefit resources on national forest system lands. The types of proposals eligible for funding may include:

• Road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration;

• Soil productivity improvement;

• Improvements in forest ecosystem health;

• Watershed restoration and maintenance;

• The restoration, maintenance, and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat;

• The control of noxious and exotic weeds; and

• The re-establishment of native species.

The public is welcome to attend all RAC meetings which are announced through the Federal Register and news releases in the local newspapers of record. For more information on the RAC or to learn more about proposing projects please contact RAC Designated Forest Official, Kelly Russell, at 575-388-8304, RAC Coordinator, Patti Turpin at 575-434-7230, or Julia Faith Rivera at 575-388-8201.